2017 Genesis G90 Review

With only slight differences in price and fuel economy between the 3.3T Premium and 5.0 Ultimate models, we suggest checking out the 5.0 Ultimate. Either engine provides more than enough power, but the burlier V8 sounds better. On top of that, you get a significant upgrade for the rear seats.

Aside from the long stretches of highway that require steering attention, the G90 is effortless to drive. It's about as maneuverable as other large sedans in tight spaces, which means multiple-point turns will be a common occurrence.

There's no shortage of power with the G90's V8. Acceleration is authoritative and smooth when merging onto a highway or passing slower traffic. There's a slight hesitation right off the line, but it's negligible considering how easy it builds speed.

Brakes are easy to modulate and allow for imperceptible "limo stops" with no detectable downshifts or abruptness just before stopping completely.

As is typical for large luxury sedans, there's not a lot of feel or driver engagement. The G90 gets points deducted for its highway manners. The wheel needs constant attention to keep tracking straight and engaging the lane keeping assist adds resistance in slight bends.

We didn't expect a big sedan such as this to handle as well as it does. You get a lot of tire noise before you begin to lose grip, and the vehicle is predictable and inspires confidence when driven hard.

Aside from the long stretches of highway that require steering attention, the G90 is effortless to drive. It's about as maneuverable as other large sedans in tight spaces, which means multiple-point turns will be a common occurrence.

Comfort is paramount when it comes to luxury sedans, and the G90 delivers. We'd be surprised if passengers in any seat would have any complaints given the deluxe accommodations and quiet cabin.

The front and rear seats are fairly flat, but the generous cushioning makes up for the lack of lateral support. The standard heated and ventilated seats in front and back ensure comfortable touring in any conditions.

The G90's suspension does an excellent job of smoothing over imperfections in the road without ever feeling overly soft or wallowy on the highway. Even in Sport mode, it's still has a very comfortable ride.

In normal conditions, there's no wind noise and barely detectable levels of road noise. On grooved concrete highways and in strong crosswinds, both wind noise and road noise are noticeable, but never intrusive.

The vent placement and heating/cooling effectiveness meet expectations. In fully automatic mode, you rarely have to adjust the system to account for changing weather.

The Genesis G90's interior is exceptionally nice for the price, but it doesn't challenge its more expensive rivals just yet. Plastic switches bring you back to reality, as does the non-premium wood trim.

Primary and supporting controls are logically placed and easy to operate. The steering wheel switches for audio and cruise control are right where they should be and can be used without having to look.

The door openings are generously wide and tall for easy access. The doors aren't so wide as to complicate access in tight parking spots, but tall curbs may prevent opening the doors fully.

With 22 power adjustments and plenty of range in the seat, drivers of any body type will be able to find their preferred position.

Front or rear passengers will enjoy a wealth of space. Even with a tall driver, the seat right behind will provide plenty of legroom for 6-footers.

Overall visibility is typical for the class. Thicker roof pillars obstruct the view slightly, and the tall rear decklid narrows the amount you can see in the mirror. A surround-view camera system removes any guesswork in tight spots.

The G90's interior quality exceeds expectations for the price but doesn't quite meet the standards set by its German rivals. The wood trim is real, but the heavy lacquering makes it look like plastic.

The Genesis G90 will easily accommodate your small and large items. It's on par with other large luxury sedans and gets a slight edge for the standard hands-free power trunklid that rivals charge extra for.

A dedicated phone bin with a USB port, power and cordless charging is a nice touch. The cupholders, door pockets and center console bin are moderately sized and should easily hold your personal items.

The 15.7-cubic-foot trunk is about average for the class and will easily accept a lot of luggage. The rear seats do not fold for more space, but a center pass-through will handle longer objects. The standard hands-free power trunklid further simplifies loading.

LATCH anchors don't require any digging between seat cushions, and the top anchor is easy to find. There's ample room for a rear-facing infant seat without compromising front seat space.

The large and wide infotainment screen is placed high on the dash, right where we prefer, and the resolution is sharp. Other systems are as easy to operate and meet expectations for more expensive luxury vehicles.

Audio quality is excellent at all volumes, and the Clari-Fi music restoration system makes satellite radio sound noticeably better. Navigation is precise and easy to use with easy-to-read maps.

Apple CarPlay is not offered and is noticeably absent compared to other cars in the class. This hinders some messaging and information capabilities, but otherwise the G90 has no other significant drawbacks.

The adaptive cruise control smoothly transitions between acceleration and braking and will come to a complete stop. The lane keeping assist system doesn't work as smoothly as some rival systems.

There aren't any voice controls for audio, but the navigation control is excellent. There's a brief pause before confirming your commands, but the system provides appropriate prompts audibly and on-screen.